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THE LEGAL LEDGER 800-800-4300 DENMONPEARLMAN.COM
SISTERS IN LAW A FAMILY AFFAIR AT DENMON PEARLMAN APRIL 2024
At Denmon Pearlman, family is at the heart of everything we do. When serving our client families visiting our St. Petersburg office, sisters Jenica Ellenberger and Mackenzie Taylor contribute their expertise and kindness to make our client experience exceptional. Jenica, a dedicated paralegal on our criminal defense team for three years, learned last year from firm partner Nicole Denmon that the firm sought a part-time administrative team member to help with mail and other tasks. Without hesitation, she recommended her sister, Mackenzie. Mackenzie had spent about six years in the restaurant industry and was eager for a change. She started working at Denmon Pearlman for just a few hours a day, but Mackenzie gracefully stepped in when a vacancy left the front desk role open last
summer. Her sister knew this was something Mackenzie was more than prepared to handle.
“Having the restaurant industry experience 100% helped her be a great addition to our front desk,” Jenica shared. “She’s positive and welcoming, and when our clients walk in, she greets them warmly and offers them snacks and a drink. Many of our clients do most of their business with us over the phone, so when they come into the office, Mackenzie gives them a great experience.” The sisters are 11 years apart in age (Jenica is the older sister), but working together has drawn them closer. They now see each other daily in the office, keeping up to date personally and professionally with different tasks required to ensure clients’ cases are progressing. Their
mistake could create a huge problem for a case or a client, so the front desk team member has to be on top of their game. It’s a great training ground for someone to be immersed in training and then move to other roles within the firm. Mackenzie has been a wonderful addition to our family-oriented team. We’ve always been very family-focused at Denmon Pearlman. In addition to these “sisters-in-law,” we have three husband and wife legal powerhouses on the team — partners Christian and Nicole Denmon, partners Lee and Nicole Pearlman, and criminal defense attorneys Tom and Mary Katherine (formerly Bleckley) Campbell. The legal process can be stressful and overwhelming at times. Mackenzie and Jenica are just two shining examples of the team here at Denmon Pearlman, always ready to support our clients and make their lives easier when dealing with a legal case. We are here if you need us and only a phone call away. -Nicole Denmon 1
sisterly bond translates into a seamless operation for Denmon Pearlman clients.
Jenica’s big sister mentality has proven helpful to Mackenzie as she quickly learned a new industry. While Mackenzie’s kindness and service-oriented approach came naturally, learning new computer systems and a whole new world of legal lingo was initially a bit daunting. “I was so nervous when I went from part-time to full-time at the front desk,” said Mackenzie. “I didn’t want to mess anyone up, and it was great having Jenica there to back me up so I would not feel stressed or worried every day.” The front desk role is one of the most challenging positions in the firm, because that person needs to know everything that is happening with the entire operation. One
HEALTHY LIVING TIPS FOR EVERY GENERATION
Different generations have different opinions about what makes you healthy, and they frequently disagree with or scoff at what other generations believe is best for them. To foster a better understanding, here’s a short synopsis and comparison of generational attitudes, plus tips on how each group can maximize their good health! BABY BOOMERS People born between 1949 and 1964 are known as baby boomers, named after the increased post-war birthrate. This generation trusts conventional medicine — hospitals and doctors. They take
— don’t manage their mental health enough. They can make lifestyle changes to boost their overall wellness, like learning good sleep habits, joining social groups, and taking up new hobbies to help them destress. MILLENNIALS The first computer-savvy generation, millennials — born between 1980 and 1996 — value mental health and a holistic view of medicine, preferring to seek out alternative medical treatment rather than pay the steep costs of conventional treatment. This generation can elevate their wellness
by scheduling regular appointments with health care providers and shedding their dislike for professionals during health crises (like COVID-19). GENERATION Z Gen Zers, or zoomers, were born between 1997 and 2010. Many zoomers do not yet have fully developed opinions on health care, but research indicates they’ll have similar opinions to millennials. The oldest zoomers are currently in their 20s, so developing good health habits now is essential. They should make exercise a part of their weekly routine and pursue stress management techniques to help them weather the coming years.
steps to combat chronic illnesses, but they tend to ignore mental health. They can better their health by being open to alternative medicine and mental health measures, like seeking therapists or pursuing stress-relieving hobbies while maintaining their trust in conventional medicine. GENERATION X Sometimes called “the Forgotten Generation,” Gen X refers to people born between 1965 and 1980. Many Gen Xers are active parents and spend a lot of time involving themselves in their children’s lives. Most don’t sleep enough and — like boomers
STAY GOLDEN A NEW FAMILY- FRIENDLY BREWERY IN MAGNOLIA HEIGHTS
National Beer Day is April 7. What’s a better way to celebrate than at a new neighborhood brewery?
Golden Isles Brewing Company opened last October in their Magnolia Heights location at 3000 Dr. MLK Jr. St. North. This former gas station has been lovingly converted into a spacious and comfortable venue with an air-conditioned lounge, indoor-outdoor bar, and shaded patio space. It has plenty of room for kids and dogs to play, and both are very welcome. The husband-and-wife team of Jonathan and Angie Bryan own the brewery. Angie is a native of St. Petersburg, and Jonathan grew up in Georgia. The Bryans have two kids and two dogs, who sometimes join the family at the brewery. Golden Isles focuses on unique craft beers with a canvas of different styles, available both in cans or draft. In addition to their line of beers (created by brewer Aric Parker), selections include guest taps from other unique local, Florida, and even international breweries. They also have sangria, Prosecco, and kombucha on tap, bottled wines, vodka, tequila
canned cocktails, organic sodas, and farm-to-can sparkling lemonades. There’s truly something for everyone! A delicious lineup of local food trucks on rotation provides eats nightly. Golden Isles is open seven days a week. Jonathan and Angie are very community-focused and have worked hard to cultivate relationships with neighborhood residents and local businesses. The result is a friendly, comfortable venue with a great vibe and many opportunities to relax and connect. Golden Isles serves as a central meeting hub for the run club, yoga Saturdays (the first Saturday of the month at 10 a.m.), and various local meetups and events. Check out the latest happenings and what’s on tap at Golden Isles Brewing Company via Instagram at Instagram.com/staygolden_stpete or on the Untappd app. Stop by and enjoy, but remember to designate a driver and stay safe (and golden)!
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DENMONPEARLMAN.COM
CANINE CAUTION
Savor the flavor with our mouthwatering grilled steak, paired perfectly with vibrant chimichurri sauce.
INGREDIENTS •
2 lbs steak (flank, sirloin, or skirt steak)
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2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
HOW TO NAVIGATE FLORIDA’S STRICT DOG BITE LAWS Dogs can make excellent companions, but understanding your four-legged best friend’s behavior is crucial to preventing dangerous bites. Florida is a strict liability state, meaning if your dog bites somebody, you are liable for damages regardless of whether or not you had prior knowledge of the dog’s aggressiveness. National Dog Bite Prevention Week was April 7–13, and it’s the perfect time to explain how the state law works for dog owners and victims of dog bites. THE LAW Under Florida law, a dog owner is liable for any injuries, medical bills, or damages caused by their pet if it bites another person on public property or at the dog owner’s property if the victim was legally allowed to be there. Additionally, owners are responsible if their dog bites and harms another dog or animal. There are circumstances where the owner might not be held liable, including if they had posted visible “Beware of dog” signs or the victim was illegally on their property. COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE A dog owner may be able to claim that the victim of the dog bite was partially responsible for the attack. In this case, if a judge determines a victim’s actions or negligence contributed to the bite, they can adjust the compensation amount a victim will receive. For example, if someone were 25% responsible for the attack, they would only receive 75% of the total compensation. This is a common defense in dog bite cases. CRIMINAL LIABILITY The law does not consider the dog’s breed or history of aggression; however, the state will deem a dog dangerous if it has previously bitten, attacked, or harmed another person or animal. If a “dangerous” dog kills another person, the owner can face a manslaughter sentence and several years in prison. Owners can still face criminal liability if their dog has never attacked someone before, but the punishment will be reduced to the state taking the dog and fining the owner. If you are bitten by a dog in Florida, getting immediate medical care and contacting a lawyer is essential. Victims have four years to file a personal injury claim, but starting the process immediately is best. The more time it takes, the more difficult it is to gather evidence. We’re here to help!
For the chimichurri sauce: •
1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lemon 2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp red pepper flakes Salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS 1.
Preheat grill to medium-high heat. 2. Rub the steak with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. 3. Grill the steak for 4–5 minutes per side or until it reaches desired doneness. 4. Meanwhile, make the chimichurri sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the parsley, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. 5. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing. 6. Serve the steak with the chimichurri sauce and enjoy!
(EASY WAY OUT)
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800-800-4300
520 2ND AVE. SOUTH ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33701
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
800-800-4300 DENMONPEARLMAN.COM
INSIDE 1 2 Meet the Sisters Making Your Visit to Denmon Pearlman Unforgettable Health Advice for Each Generation
Celebrate National Beer Day at St. Pete’s Coolest New Spot
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Laws Sunshine State Dog Owners Need to Know
Grilled Steak With Chimichurri Sauce
Discover the Healing Wonders of Hot Springs
THE ALLURE OF HOT SPRINGS EARTH’S GEOTHERMAL WONDER
Soaking in the heated waters of a hot spring is an experience you’ll want again and again once you try it. And there is much more to this geothermal wonder than meets the eye. The naturally heated, mineral-rich water nourishes the body and mind, allowing you to shed stress as you easily float on the surface. HOW HOT SPRINGS WORK Hot springs are heated by geothermal energy. Water meets volcanic hot rocks, resulting in boiling mineral-rich water. Regions far away from volcanic activity can also have hot springs; those occur when a spring runs so deep that it hits rocks close to the Earth’s crust. These rocks are naturally very hot, which then heats the water. HOW MINERALS AND HEAT IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH The water in hot springs contains a plethora of minerals, so the water can be healthy and rejuvenating, providing benefits for your skin,
cardiovascular system, and more. Every spring has a unique mineral makeup and varied health effects, but here are four of the most common.
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Improved Blood Circulation: Minerals like calcium, iron, and sodium bicarbonate are great for blood circulation, as they promote oxygen flow. Radiant Skin: Nitrogen, silica, and other minerals are excellent for exfoliating skin. Less Stress: As the warm water melts stress away, the magnesium and lithium improve your mood. Pain Reduction: Sulfate helps reduce pain, while hot water soothes muscles and reduces inflammation.
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spectacular views and are worth the journey. If you don’t want to trek up a mountain, you’ll find many spas built around hot springs that offer amenities besides the spring, such as restaurants and saunas. So, the next time you’re traveling, locate the hot springs in your area and put a visit on your itinerary!
WHERE YOU CAN FIND HOT SPRINGS The western part of the U.S. has a higher concentration of hot springs, but if you look hard enough, you can find one anywhere. Some hot springs are deep in the mountains, so you’ll have to hike in. They often have
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